Fanaticism  

From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia

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Fanaticism is an emotion of being filled with excessive, uncritical zeal, particularly for an extreme religious or political cause, or with an obsessive enthusiasm for a pastime or hobby.

According to philosopher George Santayana, "Fanaticism consists in redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim" (Life of Reason (1905) vol. 1, Introduction U); according to Winston Churchill, "A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject".

The difference between a fan and a fanatic is that while both have an overwhelming liking or interest in a given subject, behaviour of a fanatic will be viewed as violating prevailing social norms, while that of a fan will not violate those norms (although is usually considered unusual).

A fanatic differs from a crank in that the latter term is typically associated with a position or opinion which is so far from the norm as to appear ludicrous and/or provably wrong, while the subject of the fanatic's obsession may well be "normal", with only the scale of involvement being abnormally disproportionate.

Etymology

First attested in 1525. From Latin fānāticus (“of a temple, divinely inspired, frenzied”), from fānum (“temple”). Influenced by French fanatique.

Categories of fanaticism

• consumer fanaticism - the level of involvement or interest one has in the liking of a particular person, group, trend, artwork or idea.
• religious fanaticism - considered by some to be the most extreme form of religious fundamentalism.
• political, ideological fanaticism.
• ethnic, national, racial fanaticism.
• leisure fanaticism - high levels of intensity, enthusiasm, commitment and zeal shown for one's leisure activities.

See also

• Antifanaticism: A Tale of the South
• Enthusiasm
• Extremism
• Fanboy
• Fixation (psychology)
• Obsession (psychology)
• Religious fanaticism
• Zealotry